Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old

Subject: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: GUEST,Chance's Mom
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 03:21 PM

Greetings all,

My husband, son and I are all intending to start guitar lessons in January. I was hoping to get some advice from wise folks such as yourself. I'm very grateful for any helpful feedback. :)

My son is almost 9 but big for his age (half an inch from 5'), Dad is about 6'7 and I'm 5'11. Now what I've found on the Internet so far indicates that our son needs a parlor or 3/4, I need an OM size and Dad a Dreadnought? Does that sound right? Is that realistic (OMs and Parlors aren't as common it seems)? Should we share one or two, rather varying sizes? Is there a brand that anyone would suggest, I understand that there are ways to make guitars more beginner friendly. I was figuring I'd try to find good used guitars.

Also I spoke with a guy who owned a music store and he was insistent we take separate lessons, I was really looking for a good bonding experience for the three of us (yes we could just practice together) and I didn't want it to be intimidating for my son. Also, my son would like an electric guitar someday but I thought this would be a good starting point, after reading some other posts here I am wondering if I should let him start there? We do live in townhouses so noise is an issue to some degree. I explained we'd start on acoustic and could move to electric as he got better (he was fine with that), I just don't want to have him learn something that will not translate well (I'm a complete guitar newb). Anyway, I've probably posted far too much, but I'm a OCD researcher. :)

Happy New Year to you and yours and again thanks for any help/suggestions.

Chance's Mom (Julie)

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: ChancesMom
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 04:05 PM

Oh and my son is left handed, I forgot to throw that into the mix.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: SharonA
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 06:21 PM

Let me be the first to say: Welcome to Mudcat, ChancesMom!

If you're trying for a bonding experience where the three of you play music together, you'll have to give up the idea of sharing one or two guitars! Each of you should have an instrument. (Maybe they don't all have to be guitars! The bass and the ukelele each use four of the guitar's six strings, tuned to the same notes as the guitar's "standard tuning".)

The best way of determining which size will be most comfortable for each of you: each of you should "try on" several different sizes at guitar shops. Note that I said "shops" (plural); if you live in an area that has more than one, visit them all. If not, you should be able to have guitars sent to you by sellers on a trial basis before agreeing to purchase them. I think it goes without saying that a left-handed guitar would be most comfortable for your son; most likely, you'll have to order one, but your son can still get an idea of what "fits" his body by holding and strumming a right-handed guitar.

Have you considered renting, or perhaps renting-to-buy, as a way of determining which instruments are comfortable for your family, before making the final commitment to buy?

Do NOT try to cut budgetary corners by purchasing a cheap guitar. It will not sound right, it will have flaws in workmanship that will frustrate you during the learning-to-play process, and it will lessen your enjoyment of the playing experience. There are several fine "mid-range" acoustic guitars, for which you should expect to pay something in the $300-to-$700 range (for a new one). You are correct that you can often get a better-quality guitar for a lower price by shopping for a used instrument (and you'll cry less when it gets scratched if there are already scratches on it!).

Ideally, if you're looking for a guitar you will keep for years, you should avoid any instrument that is made of laminated wood (top, back or sides). Not that the laminated woods wouldn't last for years or anything, but as you become more proficient a guitar player you will become more aware of the sound your guitar makes, and solid woods will not disappoint (and will most likely improve the tone of your guitar as they age!).

Brands I recommend include Martin, Taylor, Guild, Larrivee and (not as enthusiastically, but it's still good for a beginner's guitar) Dean.

I'm not sure why the music-store guy was insistent about separate lessons. Beware -- he may simply be trying to make more money from you than he would make by offering you group-lessons! Talk to a bunch of other teachers, and ask friends to recommend a teacher, before signing on with one.

Good luck!!! Please let us know what you decide to buy, and keep us posted on how the lessons are going!

Sharon

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: SharonA
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 06:40 PM

Oh, and don't worry about posting "too much" at THIS site! It's not possible!!! :^)

Besides, the more details you can give about what it is that you want for your family's experience with music, the better able we will be to help you find it.

For instance, you haven't mentioned whether any of the three of you has played any instrument before, or can read music. My own experience has been that I learned piano first (my parents were insistent that I take lessons as a child), which laid excellent groundwork in understanding music theory -- an invaluable tool as I learned various other instruments later on (clarinet, guitar, bass, mandolin). If your son learns guitar first, it may be more difficult for him to envision the different scales, intervals between musical notes, and so forth. Purchasing an inexpensive keyboard, and playing the notes on both instruments, might be helpful.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: ChancesMom
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 08:07 PM

Wow, thank you Sharon, that was wonderful! We actually have a keyboard and may be inheriting a piano shortly. I can only play the most basic piano, my left hand has a thing for copying the right.

My husband played percussion as a kid, nothing more. He's along for the ride for the amusement factor methinks.
My son is learning the recorder at school and we'd planned on getting keyboard lessons, but it was more difficult to find a teacher than we expected and put it off (foolishly so).

I'll do a more serious search for stores that aren't the three this guy owned.

Really, thanks for your response, I'm looking forward to this experience.

Julie

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 08:39 PM

I would discourage the idea of a left-handed guitar for a couple of reasons.

First of all, just as a general principle, you never see any left-handed pianos, violins, flutes, etc. If your son learns to play a left-handed guitar, then his guitar would be the only one he could play. There are not that many left-handed guitars out there. Should he find himself someplace without his guitar and someone offers him a guitar to play, he couldn't use it. He'd be stuck. Bad.

Second, in learning the guitar, the most difficult hand to learn to use is the left. It requires more nimbleness and dexterity to finger chords, play scale passages and runs, and other such stuff than the right hand does, no matter how complex the picking patterns or arpeggios are. A "southpaw," holding the guitar the same way a right-handed guitarist does and learning to play it that way actually has an advantage over right handed people in that they are generally more deft with their left hand. That's good. Jimi Hendrix notwithstanding, you shouldn't be able to tell if a guitarist is left or right-handed just by looking at them.

Left-handed guitar? Not a good idea.

The whole family learning? Sounds like a great idea!! Happy picking!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 11:08 PM

Chance's Mom, I will share some of my research, and after you read through this you may reach the same conclusions we did, or you might not. But it was very helpful in chosing the guitar and lessons for my son this year (he is 14 now).

Learning guitar: Acoustic vs Electric?

We actually started him learning on a classical guitar, and as he gets older and gets a job to buy more instruments he can expand his guitar holdings--he also loves electric, but sees why learning on classical is a good idea. For now he's using a loaner, but we have a Spanish guitar on order (through the studio where he takes lessons) that will be a good student guitar that he will take several years to outgrow and "will be a good second guitar for later when you're going somewhere that you don't want to take your best guitar." He's enjoying the lessons, where he is getting a lot of theory and good musical training, not just learning songs. "You won't find any other activity in your day-to-day experience that duplicates the way you have to hold your hand to play this guitar," I hear his teacher telling him as he guides him into the world of classical guitar. They have a variety of things they do during the lesson, including improvisation, which his teacher feels is essential and which Dylan likes best of all. It's really a wonderful thing to sit in the waiting room and listen to those lessons.

Stilly River Sage

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 08:50 AM

Don's advice is sound.

One thing that many folks don't quite grasp is the need/want for additional instruments. Not to encourage this thread to degenerate into a guitar acquisition syndrome discussion, but a very large percentage of players don't know what they want when they start, and quickly develop a taste for another guitar(s) so they can get the sound they're searching for, have variety, develop style(s), and have the tools for the job.

A household with more than one player is taylor-made for having available options. Early basic guitar choices for me would have been, and largely still is, steel string, electric, and classical. Toss in a 12 string for variety and lots of folks will be happy.

Fwiw, much of this can be done without knocking off a bank. Compared to minor sports, cars, boats, even a half baked drum kit, a few guitars isn't real expensive. Shop for sales, used, and trades.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Richie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:17 AM

Hi,

I teach guitar for a living.

If he wants to play electric you should get him an electric. If the level of sound is an issue don't let him turn his amp up oor get him headphones.

I don't believe you should start on acoustic if you want to play electric, doesn't make sense to me. Electric guitars are much easier to play!

On the right-handed vs left-handed issue- I've taught both (lefties that play righty and lefties that play lefty). IMHO it's a tough call but Don is right that you have to use both hands to play. The advantages of a right hand guitar are: they are cheaper; easier to sell; the chord diagrams are all written for righties.

This question remains: Why wouldn't right-hand guitarist all play left-handed guitars?

Also since he's a big kid, I'd be inclined to get a full size guitar. If you get an electric guitar the body is smaller anyway.

Richie

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:17 AM

Mooh's comment actually well supports the learn right handed notion. You can experiment easily with other peoples instruments once you are established in learning the guitar you have. (That being said, Bill Staines isn't a good role model for the beginner left hand conversion guitarist.)

I'd look for small body, short scale instruments to start with.(Guild M-20, Gibson LG 1, L-00) Or a parlor guitar.(Martin 0-16 or other ) sizes, Larrivee) They are hard to find so maybe small body FULL scale is the next best choice. I believe Seagull covers both of these requirements and they aren't budget busters. Martin and Taylor both cover this ground but are a bit pricey.

Don

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Don Firth
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:20 PM

Er . . . uh. . . .   I'm afraid I have to disagree with Richie. Sorry, Richie.

I have also been teaching guitar (since the mid-1950s), and I would at least postpone getting an electric guitar until your son learns to play an acoustic. My reasons are similar to my objections to the idea of a left-handed guitar. If he learns to play an acoustic guitar first, the techniques are directly transferable to an electric.   It also works the other way, but not quite as easily, partly because the action of an electric guitar is lighter.

And--believe it oo not, there are places in this world where there are no wall-plugs!!   With an electric guitar, no wall-plug, no music!

There's no law that says one can't play both an acoustic and an electric. But it's better to learn on an acoustic.

I could go on and beat my usual drum about it being really best to start with a nylon-string classic and learn some classic technique first (technique that is transferable to any style(s) of guitar playing), like Stilly River Sage's young'un is very wisely doing, but I'll just shut up now.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:52 PM

I hear the electric vs acoustic starter instrument all the time and my advice is consistent...acoustic, usually steel string. I do this with my business as full-time instructor and part-time repair guy in mind. With light or extra-light guage or silk/steel strings a decent acoustic will feel quite comfortable for most beginners. Given a choice between that and nylons, most beginners will be satisfied.

Portability is the big thing with beginners in a family home situation, so that they can play anywhere, in or out, without being encumbered by cords, amp, and irrated family members.

Low end acoustics and electrics often differ sunstantially in quality with the acoustics holding tune better...and there is less to screw up mechanically and electrically.

Electric guitars for beginners often have more to do with image than actual sound preference or playing ability, but I hesitate to make that a general statement.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 06:22 PM

Another factor in a beginning player playing 'lefty' is that his chords will all appear different from yours. And any video will also be next to useless to watch. If the three of you are practicing together (love it!) this could be a constant frustration.

I have a musician friend who has brothers, all of whom played guitar. As the youngest in the family, he learned to play right-handed; as he said, if he hadn't he would never have gotten to play at all.

Nowadays, in his 40s, he has several left-handed instruments which are his preference.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 07:22 PM

We paid a lot of attention to Don Firth's advice, since he taught my father to play guitar. Dylan is really enjoying the classical guitar, and he's finding that it also sounds good when he picks out Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" or other tunes (like themes from Zelda). His teacher has played electric guitar in local bands, but that came after mastering the classical guitar.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 07:26 PM

Another factor in a beginning player playing 'lefty' is that his chords will all appear different from yours. That's true, but if the lefty considers the righty's chording hand to be a mirror of his own, it won't be so bad. When I (a righty) was learning to play by watching other righties, I had difficulty because I couldn't just mirror what they were doing! Go figure.

One option that hasn't been discussed yet (except for the passing mention of Hendrix) is that a lefty can learn to play a standard right-handed guitar left-handed (did you follow that?). In other words, the lefty can hold the guitar as if it were a left-handed guitar, and can finger the chords on the fretboard with his right hand. Now, that means that he's going to have to be a bit inventive because he'll have to ignore part of the instructions on the standard fingering charts (the ones that say "put your index finger on this string at that fret, put your middle finger on that string" etc.). The chords would have to be formed using different fingers (the ring finger in place of the righty's index finger, etc.).

It sounds complicated, but Jimi Hendrix did it. I personally know a lefty who plays that way also (in fact, he uses a right-handed cutaway guitar, and plays the highest notes overhand).

As to the issue of portability, that is quite an important factor in the purchasing decision. I recommend avoiding the Martin "backpacker" guitar like the plague -- sure it's portable but it sounds awful -- and, if you want something small to carry around easily, get a parlor guitar or a small classical guitar instead. For example, I recently found an old made-in-Japan classical at a thrift store for $15, great for taking to the beach -- and it sounds more than half-decent!

Sharon

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: GUEST,20 year teacher
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 08:05 PM

Beginning electric players tend to want to mimic the sounds of the pop music they hear, and tend not to learn the basics of accompaniment to the voice (the reason to learn the guitar). I play and have taught both; players on accoustic tend to think more versatilely about the instrument's function.
Also a quibble with someone above, about the left hand being primary. Nonsense! Many of my mid-range students learned a bunch of chords and scales, and have no right hand knowledge or intuition or strength, because of this lop-sided idea. Especially in bluegrass music, where a smart right hand is essential.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Don Firth
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:09 PM

GUEST,20 year teacher, not to be nit-picky or try to one-up you, but I've been teaching for about 50 years.

I did not say that the left hand is primary. Nor did I minimize the importance of the right hand at all. What I was trying to say was that initially the lefty has an advantage when beginning to learn because, at that stage, the left hand is more difficult to learn to use. Fretting the strings takes a kind of strength that is not required of the picking hand, and since the lefty's left hand is usually stronger than his right, and is generally more adept with finer motor skills, he is slightly ahead of the game in the beginning stages. The right hand is equally important for getting the music out of the guitar, but that group of skills can't really be developed until the left hand has started doing its job reasonably well.

I use the guitar primarily for accompanying songs and ballads (including alternating-bass picking), but I studied classical guitar for many years and I play a fair amount of Tarrega, Sor, Bach, Vivaldi, lute works by Dowland, et al, and a bit of flamenco, which takes some pretty flashy right hand work. I stand by what I said.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:35 PM

"One option that hasn't been discussed yet (except for the passing mention of Hendrix) is that a lefty can learn to play a standard right-handed guitar left-handed (did you follow that?). In other words, the lefty can hold the guitar as if it were a left-handed guitar, and can finger the chords on the fretboard with his right hand." SharonA

I hope you're not suggesting that this is what Hendrix did. He used a right handed guitar alright, but restrung it lefty. This helped contribute to his tone and timbre on the Strat particularly as the strings are then reversed in relation to the bridge pickup. I imagine when he was buying guitars, lefty ones were few and far between, worse than even now. Fwiw, there are some cool Hendrix videos at YouTube.

I played for a number of years with a guitarist who didn't restring a righty guitar and played it lefty. His style was inventive, his sound often unique, especially fingerstyle, but the stretches and chord shapes often uncomfortable and learning materials virtually non-existent. I wouldn't recomment it.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 11:33 PM

"I recommend avoiding the Martin "backpacker" guitar like the plague -- sure it's portable but it sounds awful -- and, if you want something small to carry around easily, get a parlor guitar or a small classical guitar instead." Sharon

Elsewhere in the Cat I once mentioned that a friend lent me a Martin backpacker and I found what you said to be true. Backpacking is about the only time one would use it- and then only to keep your fingers supple!

A different friend lent me a Baby Taylor- and that was great; it was playable and had a sweet tone. Luckily my shoulder eventually healed and I went back to a full size guitar.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Richie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 11:51 PM

I've worked with Aaron Shearer for years (he's still around and lives nearby) and helped with his "Learning the classic Guitar" books put out by Mel Bay, who is also my publisher. I'm listed as a contributing editor and I personally know and have organized concerts for some of the top classic guitarist including Mauel Barreuco; Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero and literaly hundreds others.

If you want to play classic guitar- get a classic guitar. I love classic guitar. I've played classic guitar with Chet Atkins, Charlie Byrd and the list goes on...

If you want to play acoustic (steel string) guitar music- get an acoustic guitar. That's what I usually play.

If you want to play electric guitar- get an electric guitar. To learn an acoustic guitar to play electric guitar doesn't make sense. Acoustic guitars are harder to play! To learn classic guitar to play electric guitar also makes no sense.

So if someome want to play mandolin- get a mandolin...not an acoustic guitar.

The number of years you teach really has nothing to do with anything. There's so much garbage in print by people with music degrees and players that are gifted that don't know what they are doing that it makes me ill.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: number 6
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 11:58 PM

I agree Ebbie .... avoid the Martin backpacker .... how can that be called a guitar ... and your advice on the Baby Taylor is good.

biLL

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Don Firth
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 12:38 AM

Well, since we're mentioning our various qualifications, one of my teachers (while attending the Cornish School of the Arts, a music conservatory among other things) was a former student of Aaron Shearer's, and I've taken master classes with Shearer himself, and with Pepe Romero. For teaching, I use Shearer's technique books (and selected others, such as Christopher Parkening's). And folk-wise, I've participated in workshops with a number of people, including Doc Watson. Several of my students are currently playing professionally. I still stick by what I said.

Okay, now that we've got that out of the way. . . .

For anyone who wants a travel guitar or a guitar that's real handy and easy to pack around, the GO guitar by Sam Radding in San Diego is the one. They look more like canoe paddles with strings than they do guitars, but for a small box, they're pretty darned amazing. I have a couple of them (both the GO-GW models—walnut rather than mahogany, slightly deeper body, fuller tone—one nylon-string, the other steel-string). I goof around on the steel-string (change of tone sometimes gives a new perspective when working out accompaniments), but I use the nylon-string the most. I've used it for a number of gigs and people sometimes ask me if it's a period instrument of some kind.

Like I say, they look kinda weird and un-guitar-like (certainly no weirder or more un-guitar-like that the Martin Backpacker), but they sound like real guitars. They cost a smidgen more than the Backpacker ($262.90 for the GO-GW), but they sound a heck of a lot better. Hand made to order, and Sam is a great guy to deal with. Takes a personal interest in each one. Also, get the gig back. It's outrageous! Padded like a sleeping bag!

I keep one within arm's reach almost all the time and grab it whenever the muse strikes me.

Here ya go.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 01:32 AM

Richie, I think you missed the point entirely.

Acoustic guitars are harder to play! To learn classic guitar to play electric guitar also makes no sense.

It makes a lot of sense if you understand that a 9-year-old or a 14-year-old may not be completely formed as far as the music they will enjoy for a lifetime and what they may eventually choose to play. The parent or teacher who advises learning the more difficult instrument is allowing that child to have the range of instruments in their future. Just because the electric guitar is easier to play--why go straight there and thus exclude easier access to more complicated instruments later? Go back and look at the discussion in the thread I linked to in my first contribution here. There were a couple of folks who said they wanted to go from electric to classical in their later years but just couldn't manage the transition. Each week I sit through my son's lesson and for a few minutes visit with a grown man whose lesson follows his, and who is attempting to learn classical after originally learning electric. "It's really difficult" is his regular mantra, and he is a bit discouraged--with a full-time job and not enough hours in the day to practice like he would want, he isn't certain that he can move successfully to the more complex instrument.

Once the skills are in place they can be (pardon the slur) adjusted down to play the easier instruments. I advise you to be more proactive in your teaching--teach music, don't just teach songs. Aim high, and encourage your students to think globally. Then they, too, can accumulate various instruments like Sting has with his lute. And don't forget the sitar. Learn music well in relation to this stringed instrument and you can do lots of interesting things. Learn the easiest instrument because it is charismatic and you pose unintentional limitations.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 04:28 PM

One aspect of learning guitar that is totally neglected in dealing with electrics (and, sadly, by too many folks playing acoustics) is the technique of good tone production. it's a lot easier to teach with a classical guitar.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 07:13 PM

Arts & Luthiery has a guitar called the Ami that's a parlor sized guitar with no pick guard (so it could be switched to lefty with less bother) and is under $200. Dan Walsh, who used to play in Fred Eaglesmith's band now uses this as his primary guitar. He has sold his Guild. The Fishman pick-up he put in the A&L guitar cost about &50 more than the guitar. I've heard him play it and it doesn't sound like a student guitar.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 08:03 PM

I have never taught guitar (except to myself). Just thought I'd start with that disclaimer.

5 feet is a big nine year old indeed. He's only a little shorter than I was when I started learning on a Gibson L5 archtop, which was huge. (Too huge, actually.) I'd say any full sized guitar smaller than a dreadnaught would be fine - a 00-30 or 00-17, for example.

As you've no doubt gleaned, there are many different approaches to left-hand playing. Some just restring a right-hand guitar backwards. Others learn to play right handed. Still others turn the guitar upside down and play like that. That will be between your son and his teacher.

As for taking lessons together, I can see the other point of view here. Perhaps the key question is whether your son wants to take lessons with you or would rather learn on his own.

Good luck!

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: ChancesMom
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 10:49 PM

You guys are great, thank you for the advice. It is very difficult to embark in something that is very complicated and intimidating to a newcomer and I can't say enough about how nice the advice is.

Chance definitely wants to take lessons with my husband and me and if he ever wants to do it independently, that won't be a problem. I still have more research to do on northern VA teachers.

Alright, so don't choke when I tell you all what I've done. I found a great deal on a used Fender Strat in green (did you know with a 9 yr old color matters?), so I picked it up, he doesn't know yet.

I am more interested in acoustic or acoustic electric lessons, so I will pick up something used in that family (thoughts for a Mom with tired hands?). I will take time to meet with the teachers I interview (and am interviewed by) and get some feedback on their teaching preference for starting guitar.

I have first hand experience that if kids lose interest you're wasting not only your money, but your time. So I am hesitant to force a style on him if there isn't a "notable" benefit (which it sounds like there is a debate on).
I feel like I should give you all some brilliant enlightened decision since you gave me so much help, but I am going to try not to rush (pretend you know nothing about the guitar I just rushed out and bought when I say that) and be flexible. I want this to be fun, it may be hard, but it shouldn't be an obligation. Kids now adays have so much on their plates and music has taken a back seat. If I can get him to stick with it, it will be one heck of an accomplishment.

Ok, if I haven't stressed it enough, you guys have made me feel welcome and I am very grateful. If you're really brave, maybe you'll endure some more silly questions from me.

Happy New Year!

Julie

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 12:47 AM

Green?! How could you?!

Seriously, it sounds like you've gotten a guitar your son will love. Good luck!

Dan

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 01:09 AM

Sam's Club had some for sale for about $125. I couldn't give a guess as to the quality of a guitar mass produced for sale at Walmart.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: ChancesMom
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 10:47 AM

Dan,

It's Dark green! I swear. :)

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Mooh
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 11:13 AM

Well, at least it's a Strat, arguably the most versatile of electrics. Lots of different tones, comfortable to play, looks cool, lots of history, endorsed by hundreds of quadrillions of players, eminently hotrodable, used in virtually every style of popular and other music. With a good amp, it should sound like choirs of angels.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Mooh
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 11:18 AM

"More silly questions"? This is THE place for silly questions, most of which are taken quite seriously, especially when it comes to the guitar, "the people's instrument".

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar for big 9 year old
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 08:32 PM

Dunno about learning the twangling sticks as very much abegginer myself.
But if you fiond a good teacher you have won half the battle.
The rest is down to lots of practice I guess.
I have a Takamini.
Cna buy them for less than £180 in the uk so they will be much cheaper in the states I would think.
Stick some slightly heavier strings on and they are a good working guitar with a big voice when you dog into them.
Good Luck it is lots of fun.